Bryan Construction is an experienced contractor specializing in facility services, tenant improvement, medical office building remodels, and renovations in Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and across the Front Range.
What Is Infection Control?
Infection control refers to the protocols and measures taken to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings. The primary objective is to keep patients with weakened immune systems safe from viruses, bacteria, and other harmful microbes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), germs are ubiquitous in our environment. Though most germs are harmless, some can cause infections. Dust and debris can also harbor germs that can be a source of infection. Patients with weakened immune systems due to underlying medical conditions or certain medications used to treat them are particularly vulnerable to infections in medical settings.
It’s essential for healthcare providers and their construction teams to understand the factors that can increase patients’ susceptibility to infection. This knowledge enables them to create effective preventive measures during necessary renovations of medical office buildings.
infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)
ICRA is a matrix used to assess the risk of infection transmission and to determine the necessary precautions to be taken in an occupied medical facility.
We are a construction partner for the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, a Level 1 Trauma Center. Currently, we are remodeling Radiation Oncology under strict infection control measures that go beyond the highest infection control procedures outlined by the Class IV ICRA guidelines.
Patients undergoing treatment at Radiation Oncology have weakened immune systems, making them vulnerable to the transmission of microbes. We have established a four-phase occupied remodel with infection control measures to ensure the clinic can continue serving its patients in a safe environment. We are following strict guidelines to prevent the spread of contaminants into operational spaces.
Some of our infection control measures include:
- Isolating areas with barriers to prevent dust from dispersing into the air
- Blocking and sealing air vents to prevent contaminants from entering the duct system
- Containing construction items for transport in covered containers and wiping down all containers
- Maintain negative air pressure
- Provide HEPA vacuum cleaners for construction personnel
- Implementing additional requirements as needed by Radiation Oncology
Negative Air Pressure
Negative air pressure is used to regulate the airflow between different rooms. Air tends to flow from areas with higher pressure to those with lower pressure. Negative air pressure can be purposely generated in hospitals or clean rooms to remove more air than usual.
Negative air pressure rooms are used to keep contaminants contained within the enclosed work environment. All windows and doors must be fully sealed for the room to function correctly, and outtake filters must be installed. Negative pressure rooms require powerful HEPA filters, adequately sealed windows, walls, ceilings, and floors, multiple air changes per hour, and pressure monitoring systems to maintain the appropriate air pressure levels. Ensuring infection control safety is a complex process that requires careful attention to specific details.
How Do We Ensure Compliance And Safety?
At Bryan Construction, safety and compliance are not just about following rules on a page. Safety is a core value that we incorporate into our communication, management, and culture. We maintain these standards by valuing our employees, our clients, and our community. Health and safety mean our teams get home to their loved ones every night. Our superintendents are highly experienced and knowledgeable, but most importantly, they are accountable to their teams and the project sites we work on daily. Our strict adherence to infection control procedures is rooted in a safety culture that cares about healthcare workers, patients, our employees, and our clients.
Renovation needs, large and small, we are the General Contractor that gives our clients the service they need.
We have more than six projects with Swedish Medical Center and more to come. Learn more about our diverse portfolio of facility services projects, including remodels, expansions, renovations, and secure facilities. ⤵️
